



Book 






/^ 



c^ 



PEDIGREE 



OF THE fi'iG^ 

CAPERS FAMILY 





COMPILED BY 

FRANCIS LE GRAND CAPERS, 

OF 

PUEBLO, COLORADO. 



.-,-vV/i:-NAH S'lAiloNKRY & PRINliN'' c '^i '■any , 
SAVANNAH, GA. 






CS71 



PEDIGREE OF THE CAPERS FAMILY. 




HAVE met a goodly number of my people, 
and it is seldom that two of them agree 
as to our place of nativity and the orig- 
inal spelling of the name, Capers. So in 
July, 1898, while in New York, I employed 
Mrs. C. T. R. Mathews, of Croton-on- 
Hudson, New York, Heraldist and Geneal- 
ogist, to get me such facts as she could procure, and 
to secure the Capers Coat of Arms, if possible. We 
have been working on the lines as laid down above 
since July, 1898, and below is a summary of our investi- 
gations with some letters, etc., attached. 

I find after diligent and careful investigation that 
our family name is Capier; that our ancestors were 
Hugenots; that we came from Flanders, which province 
many years ago was under sovereignty of France; there- 
fore, we may call ourselves originally French Hugenots. 
Our people left Flanders, some going to England, others 
to Wales. I cannot find any facts to show we came 
from England, except the letter of Rev. Prentiss, which 
is submitted herewith; I do find, however, by heraldists 
in England and from other sources, that there are 
Capers now there; people of means and reputation. 
There is no question but they are from our original 
stock. From the Wales branch there were three 
brothers, Richard, Gabriel and William Capier. One of 
these was directed by his father to take holy orders; he 
refused, and the three brothers came to America in 
1679 and settled on what is now Capers Island, near 
Charleston Harbor, off the coast of South Carolina. 
This is the beginning of our American history, and it is 
from William Capers as named above, that I spring. 



4 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

You will note that from 1679 to the present time, a 
period of over two hundred and twenty years, the 
Christian names as above, have been represented in the 
families more or less in every generation. Especially 
does this apply to William, and nearly as much so to the 
other two. These brothers were undoubtedly men of 
education and some means, as Gabriel was a school 
teacher, and we see by records that William bought 
considerable property on the main land some thirteen 
years later. 

Gabriel and Richard appear to have lived on Capers 
Island and on the sea coast of South Carolina, and their 
families after them, for a hundred and seventy-five 
years, or until our Civil War in 1861. I hear from those 
in various parts of the South that about this time their 
plantations and homes were destroyed by war and the 
family much scattered. 

William, my paternal ancestor, came to the main 
land, bought a plantation, located in the Parish of St. 
Thomas, and the sons succeeded the father for several 
generations, as planters. This is the tree as I find it as 
traced to myself: 

William Capier of Wales, 

Richard Capers, 

Richard Capers, who married Martha Bordeaux, 

William Capers, who married Hannah Coachman, 

Le Grand Guerry Capers, who married Amelia F. 
Layton. 

Francis Le Grand Capers, who married Emma M. 
Cole. 

As I have said, the original William and his sons 
and grandsons were planters, men of means and the 
very highest social reputation. An extract from the 
autobiography of Bishop William Capers, which I make 
part of this record, gives a description of the two Rich- 
ards. 

William Capers, my grandfather, was born in St. 
Thomas Parish, South Carolina, Oct. 13, 1758, and died 
on his plantation, "Woodland on the Hills, " Sumpter 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 5 

District, South Carolina, Dec. 12, 1812, and was buried 
there. His wife was Hannah Coachman, of George- 
town, South Carohna. She came from a good substan- 
tial family; they were married in 1803; there were three 
children by this marriage, Benjamin Huger, Richard 
Coachman and Le Grand Guerry. He had been married 
twice before, having ten children in all, and the most 
prominent of these children was William, afterwards 
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. All 
the sons were ministers except my father, who, true to 
the instincts of his father, followed the fortunes of a 
soldier till past middle life. When the Revolutionary 
War broke out grandfather and his brother, my great 
uncle, Sinclair, joined their fortunes with Marion. 
From "Saff ell's Records of the Revolutionary War," 
page 293, I quote as follows : 

"William Capers, First Lieutenant Seventh Com- 
pany Col. Francis Marion's South Carolina Regiment as 
it stood November 1st, 1779." 

William Capers as an officer in the Revolutionary 
War is also mentioned in " Johnson's Traditions of the 
Revolution" and "Histman's Historical Register." 
"Saffell's Record of the Revolution" is the highest 
possible authority in Revolutionary matters. Any direct 
descendant can become a Son or Daughter of the Revo- 
lution through this source. 

This same book and page shows that William Jasper 
—the immortal Jasper— was Quartermaster's Sergeant 
in the same Seventh Company of which my grandfather 
was commanding officer, and that he, Jasper, was 
killed at the storming of Savannah, Oct. 9, 1779, an 
engagement in which my grandfather took part. As a 
boy, I used to love to read of feats of daring, but no 
hero so engaged my attention as Jasper. Russia has 
had her Skobeloff, France her Ney, England her Cardi- 
gan, who had everything on earth to live for, but it 
remained for America and Jasper to reach the topmost 
rung of the ladder of heroes. 



6 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

"Tell Mrs. Elliott I lost my life in supporting the 
colors she presented to our regiment," were the last 
words he said as he lay dying in the arms of Major Horry. 
Duty, duty, a life for duty and the cause. I have no 
doubt my grandfather was at Jasper's side when he fell, 
and I feel sure the action and death of the young hero 
made a lasting impression on grandfather and aided 
and stimulated him in his feats of bravery. My father 
was a man, whose memory I look back upon with the 
utmost pride. He was honorable, chivalrous, a splendid 
companion, and a most courteous, polished and affable 
gentleman. His circle of friends comprised the very 
best people in New York City. Our house in which he 
died was very large, but it was absolutely insufficient 
to hold the great numbers of people that came to his 
funeral. There were gathered about his bier some of 
the best and most influential men in New York State. 

After he left the army of the United States he 
seemed to have more of a tendency toward politics than 
toward mercantile afi'airs. His judgment was excel- 
lent, but at the same time I do not regard him as being 
a money maker. At any rate, he certainly was not a 
money saver. If he had money in his pocket, any one 
of his friends could borrow his last cent, and if he paid 
it back it was all right, and if he did not, it was equally 
all right. He seemed ever anxious to help his friends 
along to his own detriment, which is very wrong, abso- 
lutely wrong, because a man's first duty is undoubtedly 
the protection of his family. 

He was Deputy Collector of the Port of New York 
under Augustus Schell, and was Collector of the Third 
District of Internal Revenue just prior to his death. 
This last position at that time was one of the very best 
within the gift of the President. 

My father felt justly proud of his family, although 
I never heard him boast of it, but he believed that he 
had as good blood in his veins as anybody, and certainly 
he showed it. To feel and know that there are no stains 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 7 

upon your family name is a great thing, and there is no 
question but what we are rapidly drifting into times 
when to know who we are, will be a very important 
factor in the history of every man. 

When my father was dying he called me to his bed- 
side and told me that I should recollect that I was the 
son of a gentleman and that my father was an honest 
man, and I have never forgotten the former; I have 
done all that I could in my relations with my fellow 
men to try to carry out the object that I am satisfied he 
desired, viz: to be a gentleman; but as for being an 
honest man, I do not think we should boast of that in 
any one. I cannot miderstand why a premium should be 
put upon honesty. Honesty is a necessity and I see no 
reason why allusion should be made to it. I believe that 
the percentage of dishonest men in this world is not so 
very great. I have a most thorough mercantile education, 
consequently I come in contact with all classes, and 
while I occasionally meet a dishonest man, they are 
rare. Men as a rule, want to be square and straight 
in their transactions, and I really think if they deviate 
from it, generally it is on account of some sudden finan- 
cial trouble, and they become dishonest not through 
real intention at the time. 

Religion and war have been very prominent in the 
Capers family. We were driven from French Domain 
on account of religion, and then again in Wales our 
ancestor was driven to America for refusing to take 
Holy Orders at his father's command. Since this time 
we have had the great and good Bishop William Capers 
and his son. Bishop Ellison Capers, who is quite as 
prominent in the church as his father was, and as I 
have said, all my grandfather's sons were ministers 
except my father. 

Our family, since they have been in America, have 
participated in all her wars, William Capers and his 
brother, Sinclair, being in the Revolution; I do not see 
that any Capers were in the War of 1812, but my 
grandfather, Henry S. Layton, was a Captain in it. My 



8 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

father was in Mexico in 1846, '47 and '48 with General 
Wilham J. Worth, that distinguished soldier being my 
father's intimate personal friend, finally dying in his 
arms with cholera in San Antonio, Texas. 

The relations that the Capers sustained to the late 
Civil War are so recent that it is not necessary to make 
much mention of them. Suffice it to say that they 
were in on both sides of the Rebellion, and the mortal- 
ity among the members was very great. They kept up 
the reputation of the family for desperate courage and 
bravery. 

The war just over with Spain also has had its mem- 
bers of the family engaged in it. I mean Col. Eben 
Swift and Major E, L. Swift. These young men are 
sons of the late General Eben Swift and my sister, Sara, 
and consequently are great grandsons of William Ca- 
pers of Revolutionary fame. They are graduates of 
West Point and distinguished young officers. 

After several months' work I have succeeded in 
securing the Capers Coat of Arms and Crest, from the 
original seal now in possession of Miss Marian Capers, 
to whom it was given by her gradfather, *Thomas Farr 
Capers, who in turn received it from his grandfather. 
It was originally the property of Gabriel Capers, one of 
the three brothers whom I have before mentioned, who 
first settled in this country. I have several impressions 
from the seal and a most beautiful painting of the arms 
and crest, which certainly have a distinguished appear- 
ance. 

For the benefit of those not posted I will describe 
the arms and give such other facts as I have secured. 

Description of Capers Coat of Arms and Crest: 

Azure— three foxes passant; argent in pale. 
Over all a crescent argent. 
Crest, a bunch of grapes proper. 

In Heraldry azure represents the sky, and is sup- 
posed to imply justice, humility, loyalty, perseverance. 

*Thomas Farr Capers graduated at Harvard College In 1825. 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 9 

Argent represents purity, innocence, chastity, 
truth, justice, humility. When argent is combined 
with blue it means the bearer was a Christian soldier, 
courteous and discreet. Animals on shields are always 
to be taken for their best qualities, losing sight of their 
baser ones. For instance, a fox represents wit and 
cunning; many foxes, much wit and cunning. 

Crests were given for some deed of valor; they 
were anciently marks of great honor. 

The Crest of Capers, a bunch of grapes, may have 
been given for some brave deed in or near a vineyard. 
The crescent was usually put on the shield on the top 
to distinguish the family of the second son. When 
used as a charge, it showed that the bearer was a Cru- 
sader. 

The family motto is ' ' Perseverentia Vincit, ' ' which 
means "Perseverance conquers." 

As a summary, I find that a coat of arms is given 
to a family of great respectability, and that many have 
the arms without the crest; the latter was never given 
except for some great service done the state. 

This is not my autobiography, but perhaps it would 
be well to introduce myself, especially so for the bene- 
fit of my nearer relatives and the possibility of their 
outliving me. 

My name is Francis Le Grand Capers. I was born 
at Roslyn, Long Island, New York, at the family home- 
stead of my parents on May 21st, 1853. My father was 
Le Grand Guerry Capers. My mother, Amelia Free- 
love Layton. My father was born Sept. 15, 1808, in 
Sumpter District, South Carolina, and died in Brooklyn, 
New York, Jan. 29, 1868, and is buried in our family 
lot at Manhassett, Long Island. My mother was born 
August 26, 1814, near Roslyn, Long Island, and died 
Sept. 9, 1907. My mother was my father's second 
wife. They were married at San Antonio, Texas, 
April 27, 1851, by Rev. Fish^ Chaplain U. S. Army. 
There were four children by this second marriage, 
Josephine Wright, now the wife of Ammi V. Young, of 



10 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

Berlin, Germany; Francis L., the writer, who on June 
3d, 1880, married Emma M. Cole, daughter of the late 
David Cole, of Chicago, 111., whose life appears in 
" Biographical Encyclopedia of Illinois." We have one 
son, Francis L. Capers, Jr., born March 14, 1884; grad- 
uated Harvard College June, 1907. Amelia Freelove 
was the next child born to my parents. She is the wife 
of Mr. J. Lefferts Thorne, St. John, New Brunswick, 
Canada. Mary Cornwall, the youngest and last child, 
married Henry M. Newton, of Yarmouth, Maine. They 
are now living in Montclaire, New Jersey. 

My father by his first wife, had ten children, of 
whom Abigail Swift, John Edwards and William Worth 
are now living. All the balance are dead, but of these 
Le Grand Guerry, Martha Glover, Richard Coachman 
and Sarah lived to middle age. Le Grand was a physi- 
cian of promise and prominence; Martha was the wife 
of the late Richardson Corwall Layton, and Sarah was 
the wife of the late General Swift, U. S. A. Of Richard 
I know but little, as I never saw him but once. I 
believe he was a farmer in Pennsylvania. 

For myself, perhaps it will be well to say, that I 
was left with the care, custody and support of my 
mother and three sisters, when I was very young— only 
15 years old. I certainly did all that a young boy could 
do to look after and support them, and I succeeded 
passably well. 

In 1876 I was with A. T. Stewart & Co., the great 
merchant prince of our country. They concluded to 
open a branch store in Chicago, 111., on a very large 
scale. I was sent there in the capacity of assistant 
manager of one of the largest departments, although I 
was very young, but 23 years old. Four years after- 
wards I received an invitation from Mr. Marshal Field, 
of the firm of Marshal Field & Co. , to go with his great 
institution. I accepted the ofi^er and was with him four 
years, and at the end of that time, although I drew a 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 11 

very fine salary, I concluded that I could not afford to 
work for anyone else thereafter. As my health was 
bad I came to Colorado in 1886, and have been here 
ever since. 

At present I am the president of a manufacturing 
institution, the largest industrial plant of its kind west 
of the Missouri River. 



EXTRACT FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BISHOP 
WILLIAM CAPERS. 

"Our name, Capers, I suppose to be derived from 
France, and the first of the name were Hugenots. Of 
this, however, I am not certain, nor is it of any conse- 
quence.' I remember to have heard no more from my 
father about it than that he had never seen the name 
in any English catalogue of names. 

''Those of the name in Beaufort District, South 
Carolina, who are descended from the same original 
stock with us, say the name is French and that our 
ancestry was of the Hugenots and I dare say they are 
right. 

"My father's name was William; and that of his 
father and grandfather, Richard; of my fathers' s father 
I know but little more than he died in middle life, leav- 
ing two sons, George Sinclair and William, and no 
daughters. After his death, my grandmother having 
contracted an unhappy marriage, my father's uncle. 
Major Gabriel Capers, of Christ Church Parish, became 
his foster father and did nobly for him. He had five 
(or more) daughters, but no son, and my grandfather 
became his son in all possible respects. My greatgrand- 
father survived his son many years; a large, fat, healthy 
man of peculiar manners; dressing in osnaburgs and 
plaids at home, and in broadcloth and silks, stiffened 
with excess of gold lace, and powdered wig, when he 
went abroad. A different kind of man was my father, 
whose name I cannot mention without emotion after 38 



12 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

years, since I saw him buried. I have studied his 
character with intense interest, and honor his memory 
in every feature of it with my whole soul. A chivalrous 
soldier of the Revolution was he, whose ardent patriot- 
ism cooled not to the last of life. And yet, after a few 
years in the Legislature following the establishment of 
peace, he held no civil office whatever, and was seldom 
seen on public occasions, except in his office as Major of 
Brigade, to muster the troops. He was a military man; 
the War of the Revolution made him so, and to muster 
a brigade seemed his highest recreation. But no man I 
ever knew was more a man of peace than my father 
was. Social and unselfish, generous, kind, his nature 
was impulsive, but it was the opposite of passionate. 
Benevolence supplied his strongest incentives, and the 
serving of others seemed to be his favorite mode of 
serving himself. I never knew him to be involved in a 
personal difficulty but once, and then it was on account 
of a wrong done by an unreasonable neighbor to one of 
his negroes. His education had been interrupted by 
the Revolutionary War, and was therefore imperfect; 
but he had a clear and strong understanding, was fond 
of Natural Philosophy and Mechanics, wrote with ease 
and perspicuity, and in conversation was eminently en- 
gaging. He was born Oct. 13, 1758, just at the right 
time, he was fond of saying, that he might have a full 
share in the war of his country's independence. 

"And yet, with the Butlers, of South Carohna, 
(sons of a worthy sire who did this country good ser- 
vice) I have to complain that my father's name does not 
appear in any history of the American Revolution. 
There is, indeed, a small volume by the late Chancellor 
James, in which his name is mentioned, and we are 
told of his giving several thousand dollars, Continental 
money I think it was, for a blanket, and several hun- 
dred for a pen knife; and some passing compliment is 
paid to his courage and devotion to the country; and 
beside this I have seen nothing more. And yet I am 
bound to claim for him that he fought with the bravest 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 13 

and best, first as a lieutenant in the Second Regiment, 
when General Moultrie was Colonel; Marion, Lieutenant 
Colonel, and Horry, a Captain; and afterwards till the 
close of the war as one of General Marion's captains 
and his intimate friend. He was one of the defenders 
of Charleston in the Battle of Fort Sullivan (Fort Moul- 
trie) ; was in the Battle of Eutaw; was at the siege of 
Savannah, when Pulaski fell, and not far from him at 
that fatal moment; and was at the Battle of Rugely's 
Mills, which happened after his escape from imprison- 
ment in Charleston, and before he had rejoined Marion. 
Indeed, he was there in search of Marion, whom he ex- 
pected to find with General Gates, but found not, as he 
had gone on an expedition to Fort Motte. At Stono, where 
the lamented Laurens fell, he was present and fought 
like himself; at Charleston he was one of its defenders, 
and was one of those who accompanied Major Huger on 
the service; which, on their return proved fatal to that 
gallant officer, by a false alarm through the inadvertence 
of a sentinel, whereby many lost their lives by the fire 
of their own countrymen from their own lines of de- 
fense; besides numerous skirmishes which have never 
found a record in the books, though they contributed no 
mean quota to the defense of the country." 



EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM REV. ELLISON CA- 
PERS, D. D., OF COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, 
WRITTEN TO A GREAT GRANDSON 
OF CAPT. WILLIAM CAPERS. 

" The earliest record of our name that I know of is 
here in the Secretary of State's oflfice. In May, 1694, 
two grants of land from the Lord's Proprietors are on 
record, being two plantations sold by them to William 
Capers, our ancestor. He is described in the grant as 
William Capers, Cordwainer; that is, a dealer in leather. 

' ' Sixty years ago there was a large house, James 
Capers, which was then called an old establishment, in 



14 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

Liverpool, England, dealing in hides and skins. The 
name appears in the early records of the English Church 
in this colony and state; and my great uncle and my 
great grandfather were vestrymen of the Parish of 
Christ Church. Taking these facts into consideration, 
I am of opinion that the original Capers, perhaps the 
William of record in 1694, came from England. He 
paid a considerable sum on his plantation, and by the 
terms of the sale he was to pay other sums every six 
months; so that I conclude that he had some means in 
1694, fourteen years after the establishment of Charles- 
ton (1680) and twenty-four years after the first 
colony under Sayle landed on Ashley River. 

"The branch of the family to which your maternal 
grandfather belonged, lived on the coast east of Char- 
leston, and others of the same name have lived on the 
islands west of Charleston from early Colonial times. 
They were all planters of indigo, rice and cotton, and 
generations back were men of wealth. My father in 
his autobiography states that the Capers of the islands 
always said that we were of Hugenot origin, but he 
gave no positive judgment himself; indeed, he dismisses 
the whole matter with the remark that it is ' of no con- 
sequence. ' In this I cannot agree with my reverend 
father. I think it is a matter of great consequence to 
know who and what you are. I am sure you would be 
interested to read my father's life, written in part by 
himself. He goes no further back than his great grand- 
father, who was your great, great, great grandfather, 
your generation being the sixth as recorded by my 
father, Richard Capers, then his son Richard, then his 
sons George Sinclair and William. This last William 
was my grandfather, and your great grandfather. 

" He was three times married. My father was his 
son by his first marriage, and your grandfather his son 
by his third marriage. He was a gallant soldier of 
the Revolution, one of Marion's captains during the 
campaign in South Carolina. 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 15 

"My father was born on his plantation in St. 
Thomas Parish, in 1790, and your grandfather was 
born, I think, in Sumter County, in 1804 or '05, my 
grandfather having removed to Sumter. Indeed, he 
sold his St. Thomas plantation and bought a rice plan- 
tation near Georgetown; and losing his second wife 
there, he sold the rice plantation and bought a cotton 
place in Sumter. He died in 1812. You are, of course, 
familiar with the career of your grandfather, my uncle 
Le Grand, after whom my youngest brother was named. 
The latter, a brilliant fellow, the playmate of my child- 
hood, having just graduated with the first honor of his 
class, went to Virginia as a soldier and was killed at 
the Battle of Second Manassas, in 1862." 

Barnwell, So. Carolina, Nov. 16th, 1899. 
Mrs. J. R. Mathews, 

Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y. 

My Dear Madam;— Your favor bearing date of 14th 
inst. is before me, and I take pleasure in giving you 
what information I can. 

I cannot tell you anything of the origin of the name 
of Capers. As regards my connection with that family 
will say, my father's grandmother was a Miss Anna 
Rowe, of Orangeburgh, So. Ca., and her mother was a 
Miss Ladson, of St. Helena Island, S. Ca., who married 
Mr. Gabriel Capers (a school teacher). Said Mr. Ga- 
briel Capers came direct from England, (I think about 
175 years ago). He left England, I have been told, 
because his father, (name unknown) desired him to 
take Holy Orders, to avoid which he came to this coun- 
try. There are still some Capers on St. Helena's Island, 
who no doubt could give you the desired information. 

The above information I received from my father, 
Rev. Wm. Otis Prentiss, (who departed this life last 
Sept., aged 83). 

If at any time I can be of any service to you, please 
call upon me. Yours very truly, 

S. E. PRENTISS. 



16 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

Diocese of South Carolina. 

Bishop's Residence. Columbia, Nov. 5, 1898. 

My Dear Cousin'— Your letter of the 16th ult. came 
when I was at Washington in attendance upon Conven- 
tion, and this is my first opportunity to answer it. I 
am sorry I can't help you in the matter of the origin of 
our name, or as to our nativity before coming to 
America. I will give you all I know. 

First.— The name first appears in South Carolina. 
All of the name who have lived in other states or terri- 
tories, subsequent to the Revolution, went out from 
South Carolina, and can be clearly traced to the South 
Carolina Capers, as for instance, your Father's family, 
the Capers in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Mis- 
souri. 

Second. —Its first record in South Carolina is of date 
1695 and 1694. This record is in the oldest of the 
' ' Grant Books ' ' in the office of the Secretary of State, 
South Carolina. 

The grants are for two purchases of land, in Berke- 
ley Co., South Carolina, by "William Capers, Cord- 
wainer. " At that time Cordwainer meant a dealer in 
leather or hides— originally a worker in Spanish (Cor- 
dova, Spain) leather. 

The Capers in South Carolina in the last of the 17th 
century and in the 18th, were all on the coast, mostly 
in old Berkeley and Georgetown Counties, north of 
Charleston, and on the islands and in Beaufort Co., 
south of Charleston, and were all planters or farmers. 
The sons of my grandfather (my father and uncles), 
were the first professional men, and were clergymen of 
the Methodist denomination. Before my grandfather's 
conversion to the Methodists, the name was always as- 
sociated with the Church of England. This appears in 
Dr. Dalcho's History of the Church in South Carolina 
and in the Old Parish Registers. 

You are doubtless acquainted with what my father 
has written on the subject in his autobiography. 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 17 

Third. —I am satisfied that our forefathers came 
over from England. If they had been French people 
their name would somewhere appear among the names 
of the Hugenots, and they would have been hostile to 
the Church of England, or at least Presbyterian and 
Calvinists. There are Capers now in Liverpool. An 
old Irish gentleman, Charles Logan, of Columbia, South 
Carolina, now resident there, told me that when a boy 
he was an errand boy to a large firm of James Capers 
& Son, who were importers of hides and dealers in 
furs, " Cordwainers. " 

This is about all I know. The Island Capers family 
have "Trees," and Coats of Arms (I believe), but they 
really have no other source of information than we 
have, and I have very little confidence in their trees. 
So far as you and I can knou- at present, we are stopped 
at William Capers, Cordwainer, 1694. You might write 
to Mr. Logan, or the Rev. S. E. Prentiss, Barnwell, South 
Carolina, whose great grandmother was an Island Ca- 
pers. I am, most truly yours, 

ELLISON CAPERS. 



State of South Carolina. 

Office of Secretary of State. 

Columbia, S. C, Jan. 3, 1899. 
F. L. Capers, Esq., Pueblo, Colo. 

Dear Sir:— Replying to your letter of the 28th of 
December. We have no record of the soldiers of the 
Revolution here except a partial list of the officers 
in a pamphlet prepared by General Wilmot G. De 
Sanssure. In that I find that William Capers was 
a Lieutenant in the Second Regiment. I also find 
that William Capers was a Captain in the State Militia, 
and General De Sanssure states that he gets this infor- 
mation from "Johnson's Traditions of the Revolution." 

Yours very truly, 

D. H. TOMPKINS. 

Note. — The names of aU officers and soldiers in the list as 
mentioned above by General De Sanssure, are reprinted in Charles- 
ton year Book, 1893. 



18 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

Diocese of South Carolina. 

Bishop's Residence, Columbia, 4-7-' 99. 
My Dear Cousin: — I am just home from visitations 
in the lower part of the Diocese, and find your letter of 
the 30th ultimo to Mrs. Capers. 

I have read your sketch and looked at the crest and 
coat of arms with much interest. I have been so much 
away from home and so little time at command when I 
am here, I have not been able to add anything to what 
you have written. 

After carefully reading the matter sent us, I am 
satisfied that you have secured a trustworthy Coat of 
Arms. 

Mrs. Capers unites with me in loving regards to 
you and your family. 

Faithfully your cousin, 

ELLISON CAPERS. 

Mr. F. L. Capers, Pueblo, Colo. 



My Dear Mr. Capers:— I have, after many months, 
found in the possession of Miss Marion Thayer Capers, 
of Crystal Springs, Miss., the seal of her great, great 
grandfather Capers. This seal bears the authentic 
Arms of the Capers family. A description of the Arms 
is as follows: 

Three foxes passant arient in pale, over all a cres- 
cent (trieiit. Crest, a bunch of grapes proper. 

The original name was Capier, and undoubtedly 
they were Hugenots. They went from France to 
Wales, thence to England, and part to United States, 
or, more properly, South Carolina; and from this branch 
all of the name in this country spring. 

I have looked carefully into the descent of Miss 
Marion Thayer Capers, and also of yourself, and you 
both come from the same family. She is in the direct 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 19 

line from one of three Capers brothers that settled in 
So. Carolina in 1658, and you are the offspring of an- 
other of these brothers. 

Very truly yours, 

CATHARINE T. R. MATTHEWS. 
Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y., May 18, 1899. 



NEW ECLECTIC MAGAZINE, MAY, 1869. 

(republished in s. c. historical and genealogical magazine, 1902.) 

The Capers family of the South, and we believe it 
is exclusively a Southern family, made a remarkable 
fighting record during the late war. From the album 
of a friend we send you the following as embracing 
the members of this family who were soldiers under the 
red-crossed banner of Dixie, in the Confederate army: 

2 Brigadier Generals. 

1 Colonel of Artillery. 

1 Lieutenant Colonel of Artillery. 

2 Colonels of Cavalry. 
1 Major of Artillery. 

1 Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry. 
4 Captains of Cavalry. 

3 Captains of Infantry. 
3 Sergeants. 

2 Chaplains. 

3 Surgeons. 
14 Privates. 

Making a total of 37. These were without excep- 
tion brothers, uncles or cousins. Nine were killed in 
battle, three died of wounds, two died of disease, thir- 
teen were wounded more than once, seven were 
wounded once,, and only three came through safe. 
Eleven of the officers were promoted for gallantry on 
the field of battle. 

Life of Bishop William Capers gives an account of 
Captain Wm. Capers in Revolutionary War. 



20 THE CAPERS FAMILY, 

EXTRACT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL 
AND GENELOGICAL MAGAZINE, OCT. 1901. 

First: William Capers. — 

Probably born about 1660, Came to America 
in 1679 and settled in South Carolina. Died 
about 1718. With him were his brothers, 
Richard and Gabriel. 

Issue: — 

Mary, born May 6. 1696. 
William, born Dec. 15, 1698, died young, be- 
fore his father. 
Elizabeth, born June 5, 1700. 
Sarah, born April 5, 1701. 
Richard, born April 28, 1712. 

Second: Richard Capers, — fFj'/Z/Vz/yi Ist. — 

Born April 28, 1712, married Ann Sinclair 
May 17, 1730, who died July 15, 1739. Again 
married Jan. 8, 1741, Elizabeth Bonhoste, 
who died 174—, and again married Aug. 2, 
1744, Mary Ann Maybank. Richard died 
about 1774. 

Issue, first wife: — 

Elizabeth, born Oct. 3, 1731. 
William, born Nov. 26, 1732. 

Hi chard, born , 173—. 

Gabriel, born , 173 — . 

Third: Richard Capers. — Fichard 2iid. William 1st. — 
Born 173—, married 175—, Martha Bordeaux. 
Richard probably died about 1774, or before 
the death of his father. 

Issue: — 

WilUajn, born Oct. 13, 1758. 
George Sinclair, . 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 21 

Fourth: WiWiam Csi])ers. — Bicha7'd oi'd. Richard 2nd. 
]]l]li((in 1st. — 

Married Sept. 10, 1783, Mary Singletary. 
Again married Nov. 11, 1793, Mary Wragg. 
Again married May 5, 1803, Mrs. Hannah 
Coachman (Postell). He died Dec. 12, 1812. 

Issue, first wife: — 

Sarah, . 

Gabriel, . 

Mary, . 

William, - — - . 
John, . 



Issue, second wife: — 

Samuel, . 

Elizabeth, . 

Mary, . 



Henrietta, . 

Issue, third wife: — 
Le Grand Giieriui. 
Benjamin Hugher. 
Richard Coachman. 

Fifth: Le Grand Guerry Capers. — William 4 tli . Rich- 
ard Srd. Richard 2 lid. IFillianr 1st. — 

Born in Sumpter District, S. C, Sept 15, 
1808. Died in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 29. 
1868. Married June 1, 1829, Abigail Swift, 
who died Aug. 30, 1846. Again married 
April 27, 1851, Amelia Freelove Layton, who 
was born Aug. 26, 1814, and died Sept. 9, 
1907. 
Issue, first wife: — 
Martha. 

Le Grand Guerry. 
John Edwards. 
Abigail Swift. 
Richard Coachman. 
Sarah. 
William Worth. 



22 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

Issue second wife:— 

Josephine Wright. 
F7-(n/cis Le Grand. 
Amelia Freelove. 
Mary Cornwall. 

Sixth: Francis Le Grand Capers. -Ze Grand Guerry 
oth. William 4th. Richard 3d. Richard 2)id. 
William 1st.- 

Born at Roslyn, Long Island, May 21, 1853. 
Married June 3, 1880, Emma M. Cole, of 
Chicago, 111. 

Issue: — 

Francis Le Grand Capers, Jr., born March 
14, 1884. 

Seventh: Francis Le Grand Capers, Jr. — 
Francis Le Grand Ca])ert< (Jth. 
Le Grand Guerry Capers ^th. 
William Capers Jft^^- 
Ricliard Capers 3rd. 
Richard Capers 2nd. 
William Capers 1st. 

Born in Chicago, 111. , March 14, 1884. Grad- 
uated from Harvard College June, 1907. 



ADDENDA. 

Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 2d, 1908. 

Mr. Francis L. Capers, Pueblo, Colorado. 

Dear Cousin: I have carefully examined the state- 
ment made by you, prefacing the geneological table of 
our family. With the single exception, as to the origin 
of the name ' ' Capers, ' ' I fully concur with you. Thank- 
ing you for the patient research you have made in trac- 
ing our lineage, 

I am affectionately yours, 

HENRY D. CAPERS. 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 23 

Fifth: Tr/VZ/V//?/.— William 4th. Richard 3d. Richard 
2nd to William 1st: — 

Born St. Thomas Parish, S. C, Jan. 19, 
1790. Married Anna White, of Georgetown, 
S. C. Second wife, Susan Magill, of Cam- 
den, S. C. 

Issue by first wife: — 
Anna. 

Issue by second wife: — 

Francis Withers. 
Susan Bethia. 
William Tertius. 
Sarah Branham. 
Harriot Emma Haslop. 
Mary Singleton. 
Henry Dickson. 
Ellison. 
Theoditus Le Grande. 

Sixtli : Francis Withers Capers. —William 5th. William 
4th. Richard 3rd. Richard 2nd. William 1st.— 
Born Aug., 1819. at Charleston, S. C. Mar- 
ried Hannah Bascolm, of Lexington, Ky., 
who died 1862. Again married Susan Rut- 
ledge, of Charleston, S. C. 

Issue, by first wife: — 

William Bascolm. 

Minnie. 

Francis Withers, Jr. 

Clara. 

No issue by second wife. 

Sixth: Henry Dickson Capers. —William 5th. William 
4th. Richard 3rd. Richard 2nd. William 1st. — 
Born Columbia, S. C, June 2, 1834. Mar- 
ried Oct. 20, 1857, Mary Elizabeth Means. 



24 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

Issue: — 

Alexander Means. 
Minnie Eloise. 
Charles Memminger. 
Theoditus Le Grand. 
William. 

Si.vth: Ellison Capers.— William 5th. William 4th. 
Richard 3rd. Richard 2nd. William 1st.— 

Born Charleston, S. C, October, 1837. Mar- 
ried Charlotte Videau Palmer, of St. Stea- 
vens Parish, S. C, 1858. 

Issue: — 

Francis Videau. 

May Marion. 

John Gendron. 

William Theoditus. 

Ellison. 

Walter Branham. 

Charlotte Palmer. 



Pueblo, Colo., Dec. 4, 1907. 
Mr. Henry D. Capers, 907 Austell Bldg., Atlanta, Ga. 

My Dear Cousin: — In further answer to your es- 
teemed favor of the 29th. There are a few things in 
regard to our genealogical tree that I want to call your 
special attention to, (/ll arguments to the contratuj not- 
ivitlistandini. In the first place your family name was 
Capier, and this name was not changed until our people 
left France. In the second place, while it is true that 
we are of English descent, the original stock came 
from Flanders, And it is also true that we are Huge- 
nots. The above you want to remember. 

I took the question up of finding out who I 
was some 10 years ago, and I thought it would 
cost me maybe $50.00 or $100.00, and before I got 
through I spent way over $1000.00. And I hunted 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 25 

down the family in France, England and this country 
thoroughly, and therefore the facts that I give you are 
ahsolutehj correct; and the arms and crest are likewise 
correct. 

Thomas Farr Capers was a descendant of Ga- 
briel, and I have heard my father speak of him many 
times; he said he was a most lovable man, and a man 
of very fine education. He must have been, for he 
graduated from Harvard. 

I felt that we were as good a family as there was 
in the South, and that we must have a coat of arms; 
and made up my mind to get it, but it was a fright of a 
job. 

I am sending you today seven of my letter heads. 
I find I have not over a couple dozen. The stone that 
these were made from was made for me by Bailey, 
Banks & Biddle, of Philadelphia. I think I paid some- 
thing hke $15.00 or $20.00 for it; and I think the cost of 
putting it on the papers is something like 10 cents per 
sheet. It cannot help from being expensive; it is all 
worked in different colors. I am enclosing you the 
above papers, suggestions for a smaller type of the 
arms, but in my judgment it is more suitable for ladies' 
paper than for gentlemen's although it is very hand- 
some. The details are as enclosed, and I would be glad 
if you would return them to me after you are finished 
with them, ^s for the original stone, as per the pa- 
pers I send you, I will loan you that any time you want 
it. 

There is another thing I want to call your attention 
to, that I found out in my efforts to get this coat of 
arms, is that coat of arms are pretty frequent over in 
Europe, but crests are not. Worlds of people have the 
arms, but few the crests. Some King of France has given 
that to some member of our family hundreds of years 
ago for some brave act that he had done . Maybe he 
saved the king's life; he certainly did something that 
deserved recognition, and he did it close to or in a vine- 
yard. 



26 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

Mrs. C. T. R. Matthews, Croton-on-Hudson, New- 
York, made me a very beautiful sketch of the arms; I 
should say six inches or something like that, that I had 
framed. I think she charged me $15.00 or $20.00 for 
it. She may be dead, I have not heard from her for 
several years. But if you wanted something of this 
kind, she doubtless has some of her folks living that are 
carrying on her business, and if you explain that the deal 
came through me she will make you one. 

Your affectionate cousin, 

FRANK. 



F. L. CAPERS WRITES A LETTER TO HIS SON. 

Francis L. Capers, president of the Standard Fire 
Brick Company, is known by his business associates as 
a thoroughly practical man of affairs, but recently he 
has been revealed in an entirely new role. This, how- 
ever, his friends say he has filled for a long time with 
distinction only among his intimates and relatives. 

Long before the book entitled " Letters of a Self- 
Made Merchant to His Son, ' ' by Mr. George Horace Lori- 
mer appeared, Mr. Capers was writing letters of a similar 
character and quite as effective from a literary stand- 
point. The art of writing fascinating letters is one 
which critics agree cannot be cultivated, and for the 
reason that Mr. Capers' gifts in that direction are con- 
ceded to be rare, many even of his business communi- 
cations are worthy of publication. 

The letter appended was addressed to his son, Fran- 
cis L. Capers, Jr., who is a student at Harvard Univer- 
sity. After the formal address it runs this way: 

A college education is a good thing, for it teaches a 
man how little he knows. 

Education is simply a refinery; it cultivates the 
brains you have; if you have none it cannot make them. 

I am glad you are up in mathematics, English and 
chemistry. These are working hour studies. Quick in 
mathematics, eloquent and forcible in English, facts 



THE CAPERS FAMILY. 27 

brought out by chemistry and a sharp leadpencil; ah, 
that's the combination. French and Latin, bah! they 
remind me of the jumping jack, the long legs, the skull 
that comes to a point at the apex, the curled mustaches, 
the long hair, the gestures, the ' ' Alphonse and Gaston ; ' ' 
they will never earn you a dollar or give you a sensible 
girl, the two essentials in life. 

History and geography, the only way to study these 
is by travel. If you try to memorize them, except in a 
general way, that is, to always have facts, dates and 
figures at your tongue's end, it is an advantage, inas- 
much as it shows your friends your ears are as long as 
a Rocky Mountain canary's. 

If your teachers reported to me you were well up in 
all studies, excelled in all, faultless in all, I should say 
you were a fool. English and mathematics point to the 
well-poised man of business; geometry to the profes- 
sional crank; French and German to the head that is 
simply a gourd with one kernel in it. Now would you, 
could you, wish to excel in all? It is well enough to 
have a smattering of all, but get down, my boy, to the 
roast beef and Yorkshire pudding studies, and leave the 
frothy whipped cream and air bubbles to the other fel- 
low. 

Teachers will tell you that French and Latin will 
polish, but what good is polish? This veneer does not 
hide the real man, a deception, so to speak, quickly seen 
through. This is a rough-weather world, boy, and 
rough weather takes the polish off. 

Of course I do not mean one should be a bear, or 
not a gentleman, but I do mean to say that if a man is 
by instinct a gentleman it will show up without the 
graces taught in school, and the studied contrivances of 
speech. If he has not the attributes of a gentleman 
you can put a fifty cent shine on him from head to foot, 
but watch him; he has got to come down from time to 
time and wallow like the hog he is. 



28 THE CAPERS FAMILY. 

Son, I want you to grow up to be a man of busi- 
ness. If we had lived fifty or seventy-five years ago I 
would have wished you to be a senator, but the Bentons, 
Clays, Calhouns and Websters are all dead. The sena- 
tor of today is simply a clerk who misnames things. He 
calls his master his constituent; he is not the senator, 
it is the man or men in his State who sit behind closed 
doors. They are the power, the men of business. His 
education may not be of the best, he may send his long- 
haired and long-eared friend in the Senate a telegram 
like this, "You won't do no such thing nohow neither, " 
but you can bet when the cross between poll parrot and 
burro gets that telegram he knows what it means, 
English or no English, and acts accordingly. 




CAPTAINfi WILLIAM CAPERS AND SOME OF 
HIS DESCENDANTS. 



Y iTsf'l 



By a. S. S alley, Jr. 

Conspicuous in tliu history of South Carolina has been the 
name of Capers,^ and especially so in the ecclesiastical history 
of Ihis coraraonwealth. The earliest appearance of the name, 
so far as has been ascertained, in our records is about 1692, 
There are two branches of the family : one founded by 
Kichard Capers and the other by William Capers, and these 
were probably brothers.^ Richard's descendants lived for 

a March 27, 1738, Ricbard Capers of Christ Chnrch Parish confirmed 
a title unto James White and Sarah his wife, niece of the said Richard 
Capers and daughter of John Simes, deceased, to "All that tract or 
parcell of five hundred acres of Land which was formerly held or sup- 
posed to be held by the said John Simes deceased and was called Leba- 
non which formerly belonged to Captain William Capers deceased 
who was father of the said Richard Capers". (Mesne Conveyance 
Office, Charleston County, Book T, p. 356.) 

April 9, 1750, Richard Capers, of Christ Church Parish, Berkeley 
County, S. C. , planter, conveyed to Daniel Huger 100 acres, part of a 
tract of 700 acres in Christ Church Parish formerly belonging to 
William Capers, father of said Richard, "the said seven hundred acres 
of land was devised by the last will & testament of said William 
Capers to his only son Richard Capers aforesaid". (M. C. O., C. C, 
Book G G, p. 189.) On March 9, 1715, Hannah White, sole execiitrix 
of John White, had conveyed this 700 acres to 'Capt. William Capers", 
of Berkeley County, planter. (M. C. O., C. C, Book V 5, p 391.) He 
was probably a captain of militia. 

t> Several aiithorities have stated that the Capers family was a 
Huguenot one, but the Hugtienot naturalization list contains no such 
name,'and there is no other evidence to show that it was a Huguenot 
family, but the name is evidently English. 

c March 15, 1694/5, "Mary Capers Widdow Relict and Administra- 
trix of Richard Capers Planter Late of this province Deceased. 
Mr William Capers. & Mr William Chapman all of Charles Town in 
Berkley County" gave bond to Governor Blake for Mrs. Capers's 
faithful administration of the estate. (Probate Court Records, 
Charleston County, Book 1692-93, p. 194.) 



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V. 



274 so. CA. HISTOKIOAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

several generations on St. Helena Island, while William's 
descendants lived for several ^-enerations in Christ Clmrch 
Parish and vicinity. It is of the latter's descendants that 
this genealogy treats. 

Captain William Capers, who was long a vestryman of 

Christ Church Parish^i , in. Mary , and d. about 1718. 

His widow d. April, 1720. e 
Issue : 

Mary Capers, h. May 6, 1696. ^ 
William Capers, 1). Dec. 15, 1698^; prede- 
ceased his father. 1^ 
Elizabeth Capers, h. June 5, 1700.* 
Sarah Capers, I. April 5, 17(»l.i 
Eichard Capers, h. April 28, 171 2. ^ 



1. 

Mary Capers I William ^], 1). May 6, 1696; m. John 
Simes,^ who was buried Aug. 30, 1716*; m. again, Oct. 24, 
1737,* Thomas Boone"i, who d. Nov. 2, 1749.* 

^ Minutes of the Vestry. His name disappears from the minutes 
about 1818, and in 1820 his widow died. 

e "Mary Capers, widow, was buried April 28tli Anno Domini 1720." — 
MS. copy Christ Church Parish register in collection of S. C. H. S. 

f ' 'Mary Capers daughter of William & Mary Capers was born May 
6th A. D. 1696."— Ibid. 

g "William Capers son of William & Mary Capers was born Decem- 
ber 15 A D 1698"— Ibid. 

li The will of William Capers designated Richard Capers as "his 
only son". (See extract from deed of April 9, 1750 in note a.) 

"William Capers Junr " was a witness to a deed from Isaac Motte, 
administrator of John' A. Motte, to Charles Hill, June 26, 1712. 
(P. C. R., C. C, Miscellaneotis Records 1714-1717, p. 9.) 

i "Elizabeth Capers daughter of William & Marv Capers was born 
June 5th A D 1700.-"— MS. copy C. C. P. R., S. C. H. S. 

.1 "Sarah Capers Daughter of William & Mary Capers was born 
April 5 A. D. 1701."— Ibid. 

k "Richard Capers son of William Capers & Mary his wife was born 
April 28th A D 1712 & Baptized March ye 28th 1714. "-Ibid. 

1 See note a wherein it is stated that Sarah Simes, daughter of John 
was niece of Richard ("aiders, son of "Captain William Capers. "" The 
Christ Church Parish register records the birth of Sarah, daughter of 
"John and Mary Simes". 

* Christ Church Parish Register. 

m In his will he mentions his "Brother Richard Capers". 



l^loV CAPT. WM. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 275 

Issue : First linsband. 
6 I. Mary Simes, h. Jany. 13, 1715.* 

T II. Sarah Simes, h. Aug. 20, 1716*; m., Jany. 

30, 1737*, James White. 

Second husband. 

8 III. John Boone, h. Feb. 25, 1720*; buried Dec. 

15, 1721.* 

9 IV. Thomas Boone, h. March 4, 1723*; ?/i., Nov. 

23, 1741,* Susannah Croft (See April 

magazine, p. 132). 
10 V. Susannali Boone, h. Jany. 9, 1 726*; m.^ 

May 14, 1745, Eev. Levi Durand.* 
14 VI. William Boone, h. April 12, 1728.* 

12 VII. Paty Boone, 6, June 16, 1730; d. July 7, 

1739.* 

13 VIII. Capers Boone, l. Aug. 23, 1732*; member 

second Provincial Congress of South Caro- 
lina, August 17T5-March 1776. 
lA IX. John Boone, h. Oct. 9, 1734*; d. Jany. 6, 

1777.* 

5. 

Richard Capers [William '.], h. April 28, 1712; m., May 
17, 1730, Ann Sinkler'i( or perhaps Sinclair), who d. July 
15, 1739« ; m. again, Jan). 8, 1741, Elizabeth BonhosteP, 



n "Richard Capers was married to Ann Sinckler, May ye ITtli A. D. 
1730. "-MS. copy C. C. P. R., S. C. H. S. 

o "1739 Ann, the wife of Richard Capers, Departed this Life July 
15th, Anno Domini 1739— interred ye 16th." Ibid. 

p "Richard Capers to Elizabeth Bonhoste, spinster, January 8th 
A. D. 1741." Ibid. 

March 27, 1748, Richard Capers et al, executors of the estate ot 
George Bennison, of Christ Church Parish, deceased, conveyed to 
Richard I'On a plantation of 500 which "John Bonhoist" had conveyed 
to George Bennison, July 4, 1722. (M. C. O., Book G. G., p. 49.) 
2 



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270 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

who d. 17-1 — ; m,. again, Aug. 2, 1744, Mary Ann 

Maybankq : d. about 1774.'" 

Issue : First wife. 

Elizabeth Capers, h. Oct. 3, 1731. « 
William Capers, I. Nov. 26, 1732.* 
Hichard Capers, h. 173 — . 
Gabriel Capers, h. 173 — . 

16. 

William Capers [Richard^, William i.], I. Nov. 26, 1732, 
m., Dec. 4, 1753, Catharine Dntarque^, dau. of John Dutar- 
que, of tlie parish of St. Thomas and Si. Denis; probably d. 
before 1774 (See note r). 
Issue : 

19 J. William Capers, h. 175 — ; d. unni. 

between May 7, 1779 and Nov. 28. 1785. '^^ 

q "Richard Capers to Mary Ann Maybank, August 2, A D 1744. ' — 
MS. copy C. C. P. R. , S. C. H. S. 

^ In the deed of Ajn-il 9, 1750, ciled in note a, her name is spelled in 
three different ways: once "Maryan", once '"Marryau" and in all 
other instances "Marian". 

r "His will, made Jany. 12, 1774, mentions son Gabriel: grandson 

William, son of son William ; grandsons Sinclnir and William (minors) 

sons of son Richard. (Probate Court Records, C. C, Book 1774-78, 

p. 57.) 

• s "Elizabeth Capers the daughter of Richard Capers & Anne his 

wife was born October 3d Anno Domini 1731." MS. copy C. C. P. R.. 

S. C. H. S. 

t "William the son of Richard & Anne Capers was born November 
26 AD 1732." Ibid. 

^i Annals and Parish Register of St. Thomas and S(. Denis Parish, 
1680-1884 (Charleston, S C, 1884), pp 28 and 30. 

V The will of "Capt John Dutarque", made Aug. 9, 1766, and proved 
Jany. 2, 1767, provides for the education of his grandson William 
Capers. (P. C. R., C. C , Book 1760-67, p. 639.) 

The will of William Capers, made May 7, 1779, and proved Nov. 
28, 1785, leaves all of his property to his aunt, Mrs. Martha Wigfall. 
A reference to the St. Thomas and St. Denis register shows that his 
mother had a sister Martha Dutanpie, bap. March 9, 1752; m., Aug. 
1, 1771, Benjamm Wigfall. 



CAPT. W>[. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 277 



17. 

Richard Capers [Richard-, Wiliiam i.], h. 173—; 

m., 175 — , Martha Bordeaux (?); probabl_y d. before 

1774 (See note r). 

Issue : 

20 I. William Capers, h. Oct. 13, 1758.^^ 

21 II. George Smclair Capers, d. 1809. 

18. 

Gabriel Capers [Richard ^, William ^J, h. 173 — ; m , 

Nov., 1767, Martha Witherston^ , who (/. in Sept., 1776; m. 
again, Nov. 11, 1777, Sarah lAoyA^ {d. March 26, 1808), of 
Charles Town; d. between March 6. 1799 and Oct. 21, 
1 802 ^. He was a member of the first Provincial Congress 
of South Carolina, January- August 1775, from Christ Church 
Parish ''>■*, and wa? appointed by that Congress one of the 
Committee for Carrying into Eiiect the Continental Associa- 
tion in his parish ^^ ; was reelected to the second Provincial 

w "William, son of Wm & Martha Capers, b. Oct. 18. 17o8." 

Extract furnished by Bishop Ellison Capers from his mother's Bible. 
See also Wightman's Life of Wiiliam Capers. D. D. (Nashville, 
1858) , p. 13, the autobiography of Bishop William Capers. The Bishop 
also stated in that autobiography (p. 12) that his grandfather, Richard 
Capers (17), had but two sons, William and George Sinclair, and no 
daughter and that he died many years before his father, Richard 
Capers (5). 

X "Mr. Gabriel Capers, to Miss Martha Witherston." — Marriage 
announcements in The South ■Garolina Gazette ; and Country Jourtial, 
Tues., Dec. 1, 1767. 

y MS. diary of Col. Isaac Hayne, the Revolutionary martyr. 

z Will, made March 6, 1799, and proved Oct. "21, 1802, mentions 
daughters Catherine, Mary, Martha, Sarah and Elizabeth. 

aa The South Carolina Gazette, Jany. 28, 1775. Mc Crady's His- 
tory of •south Carolina Under the Itoyal Government, p. 804. Moul- 
trie's Memoirs of the American Revolution, vol. I, p. 15. 

bb The South Carolina GazHte, Feb. 13, 1775. Moultrie's Memoirs 
of the American Revolution, vol I, p. 41. 



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278 so. CA, HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

Congress, August 1775-March 26, 1776 cc^ and from March 
26, 1776 to October 1776 was a member of the General 
Assembly of South Carolina/^'^ After the fall of Charles 
Town in May 1780 he accepted British protection and. a 
British commission (major of militia, probably) and on that 
account his property was sequestrated by the Jacksonborough 
Assembly of 1782.«e 

Issue : 

22 I. Catherine Capers, m. Hugh Paterson; d. 

March 30, ISOS.^ 
Mary Capers, d. unm. Oct. 21, 1812 {?)se 

Martha Cajiers, ?>/., Nov. 29, 1810, Hugh 
Paterson. 1''^ 

Sarah Capers, m. David Jervey, M, D. 

Elizabeth Capers, m. (?) Maurice Simons, " 
sometime Register of Mesne Conveyances 
of Charleston District; d. s. p. 

cc The South Carolina Gazette, Sept. 7, 1775. 

dii Jcinrnal of the second session of the second Provincial Congress 
of South Carolina, Feb. -March, 1776, p. 152. 

ee Acts of the General Assembly of South Carolina (Jacksonborough, 

1783), p. 38. 

fl "Died, in Christ Church Parish, on Saturday, 36th ult. Mrs. Sarah 
Capers, relict of Gabriel Capers, Esq. of said Parish. And, in this 
city, on "Wednesday, 30th ult. Mrs. Catharine Paterson, wife of Mr. 
Hugh Paterson, merchant, and eldest daughter of the said Gabriel 
Capers."— T/ie Times, Charleston, S. C, Tues.. April 5, 1808. 

gg "Departed this life, on the 21st ult. Miss Mary Capers, of this 
city, in the o9th year of her age, after a long and lingering illness." — 
City Gazette and Commercial Daily Advertiser , Nov. 10, 1813. 

hh 'Married, on Thursday evening last, by the Rev. Dr. Hollings- 
head, Mr. Hugh Paterson, merchant, to Miss Martha Capers') 
daughter of the late Gabriel Capers, Esq. of Christ Church Parish." — 
Charleston Courier. Mon., Dec. 3, 1810. 

ii Yeadon's genealogy of "The Marion Family", Simms's Magazine, 
vol. II, p. 53. 



CAPT. WM. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 271^ 



20. 

William Capers [Richard 3, Richard ^ William i.], J. in 
St. Thomas's Parish Oct. 13, 175S; w., Sept. 10", 1783, 
Mary Singeltary''^ (6. Nov. G, 1766^'), daughter of John 
Singcltary, who d. March, 1792™°i ; m. again, Nov. 11, 
1793 "°, Marj Wragg, of Georgetown, who d. Feb. 7, 18oJ"o; 
m. again, May 15, 1803, Mrs. Hannah (Coachman) Postell, 
widow of Col. Jehu PostellPP ; d. on his plantation, "Wood- 
land", on the High Hills of the Santee, Sumter District, 
S. C, Dec. 7, 1812.11 He was commissioned lieutenant in 

jj Date supplied by Bishop Ellison Capers from bis mother's family 
Bible. 

kk "Married] Mr. William Caperfi, of Christ- Church Parish, to 
Miss Mary Singletwy, daughter of John Singletary, Esq; of St. 
Thomas's Parish." — The Oazette of the State of South-Cat'oUna, 
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1783. 

11 Tombstone at Cainhoy. Also record furnished by Bishop Ellison 
Capers frora his mother's Bible. 

mm Tombstone at Cainhoy. 

nn Authority of Mrs. A. J. Stokes, Charleston, S. C, a descendant. 

oo "Died, on Saturday evening last, Mrs. Mary Capers, the amiable 
consort of Mr. William Capers, Her exit is much lamented by her 
friendsandseverely felt by her relatives."— TAe Times, City Gazette & 
Merchant's Ufening Advertiser, Charleston, Sat., Feb. 14, 1801. 

pp "Married, near Georgetown, (B. C.) at Bural Hall, the 15th inst. 
by the Rev. Hiigli Eraser, major William Capers, of Waccamaw, to 
Mrs. Hannah Postell, of Black rirer, relict of the late colonel Jehu 
Postell."— r/ie Times, Charleston, Sat., May 28, 1803. 

qq "Obituary. 

"Died, on the 7th ult. at his plantation, in Sumter District, Major 
William Capers, a faithful, brave and active officer of the revolu- 
tion: a patriotic and traly republican citizen; a man of amiable charac- 
ter in all the relations of life. 

"Major Capers was early and decisive in espousing his country's 
interests, as he was constant and coiirageous to defend her rights. At 
the battle of Fort Moultrie he behaved with so much bravery and 
good conduct, as laid a foundation for the solid friendship that ever 
alter subsisted between him and our illustrious Marion, as w^ell as for 
the high notice of others, oflBcers of distinction in the army. He was 
active in defending this city, not only in that battle, but also during 



380 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GKNEALOGIOAL MAGAZINE. 

the 2nd South Carolina Continental Regiment (Motte's) Feb. 
24, 1778^'". served through the Georgia campaign and the 
siege of Savannah, and resigned in Jany, 17S0,ss He then 
entered the militia where he served to the end of the war in 
Marion's b:igade, attaining the rank of captain. One fight 
in which his company and that of his brother Sinclair attacked 
a party of British and Tories on the Georgetown road near 
Whitehall is described in Johnson's Trarlitiorii< of the Revo- 
lution^ p. 583, He tii-st lived on his plantation ''Bull's 
Head", St. Thomas's Parish, but subsequently moved to a 
plantation, "Belleview", in Georgetown District^^, and later 
to "Woodbind" plantation, Sumter District; was Inspector, 
with the rank of major, of the Oth brigade (Brigadier Gens. P. 
Horry, 1802, Eobt. Conway) of South Carolina militia, 

all the time that it was besieged, and was a companion of the brave 
and good Major Hucjer in the danger which proved the death of that 
very worthy and much himented officer — There was scarce a battle of 
any distinction fought during the whole revolution, in this State, in 
which Major Capers was not; and in all he was the same — signalized 
more by his courage, patience and conduct, than by any marks of office. 

"Independence secured and peace restored, he was call^^d to the 
Legislature of the State; where, acting from the same principle, he 
was had in like honor as in war. But he disdained to serve himself 
under cover of his country's name ; and when he thought that to be in 
office was to be in interest he declined to serve. "" 

» * x- * "gy ]jig neighbors, who were generally poor, he was 
better known as Father Capers than as Major, and so he was com- 
monly called. As a husband and a father, the overwhelming sorrow of 
his widow and nine children feelingly speaks his worth — and as a 
master he was mild and merciful." 

* -X- * '.{■ "'jjj j^jg illness (untill the morning before he died) he 
was generally delirious". * * •■ * "On the morning of the Oth 
ult. his senses were suddenly restored, and he bega,n instantly to 
speak of his decease at hand". — City Gazette and Commercial Daily 
Advertlaer , Charleston, Wed., Jany. 13, 1813. 

rr Year Book, City of Charleston, 1895, p. 332. 

ss Monthly return of 2d Regiment, made Jany. 31, 178(». Original in 
collection of S. C. H. S. 

tt July 11th 1793 Rev. William Hamet conveyed to William Capers, 
of Georgetown, planter, and others, trustees, a lot for the purpose of 
erecting a church thereon. (Records M. C. O., C, C.) 



CAPT. WM. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 281 

1802 — 1809. (For a longer sketch see V\ iglitman's Life of 
Bishop Capers.) 

Issue : First wife. 
27 I. Sarah Capers, h. 1781; m. LeGrand Guerry, 

of Sumter Dist., ■'^ho d. in 1811; m. 
again, Rev. Thomas D. Glenn, of Sumter 
Dist. (Issue by both marriages.) 
Gabriel Capers. 

Mary Singeltary Capers, d. youpg. 
William Capers, h. Jan. 26, 1790. t^x4^^ 
John Singeltary Caj^ers, h. 1792. 
Second wife. 
Samuel Wragg Capers, }>. March 5, 1797. 
Elizabeth Capers, d. young. 
Mary Capers. 
Henrietta Capers. 
Third wife. 
LeGrand Gnerry Capers. 
Benjamin Huger Capers. 
Richard Coachman Capers. 

21. 

George Sinclairuu Capers [Richard-'', Richard 2, Wil 

liam ^ I, h. — — 175 — . 

He was a captain of militia in Marion's brigade of South 
Carolina militia and State regulars. History records two 
actions in which he was engaged. On one occasion he headed 
one of Marion's scouting parties of twelve men into St. 
Thomas's I'arish and encountered a party of twenty-six 
British "Black Dragoons" and cut them to pieces. (James's 

uu The Christ Church Parish register gives the name of his grand 
mother Capers as "Ann Sinckler" (See 5). but among the founders of 
the St. Andrew's Society in 1739-30 (Year Book, City of Charleston 
1894) was Dr. George Sinclair who was probably his great-grandfather. 
This supposition is based j)ur<!ly on the fact of his first name having 
been George Sinclair. 



28 


II. 


29 


III. 


30 


IV. 


31 


V. 


32 


VI. 


33 


VII. 


34 


VIII. 


35 


IX. 


36 


X. 


37 


XI. 


38 


XII. 



282 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

Marion, p.. 163.) Mention has been made of the other 
action in the foregoing sketch of his brother AVilliam (2Uj. 
He died in Sumter District, S. C, in 1809 (Wightman's 
Life of Bishop Capers, p. 177), and his widow died in 1813 
(Ibid). I have been unable to ascertain whether he left issue 
or not. 

25. 

Sarah Capers [Gabriel ^ Richard-', Wilham i.], m., Feb. 
26, 1S06VV , David Jervej, M. D. {h. Aug. 25, 1775; d. 

1851); d. 1848. 

Issue :'" 

39 I. Thomas Hall Jervev, h. Jan v. 1807; m., 

t/ / «/ 7 7 

Jany. 3, 1833^^^^, Angelina Dorrel; d. 
1872. (Issue.) 

40 II. James Jervey, m. Susan Sarah Evans. (Issue.) 

41 III. Gabriel Capers Jervey, m. Eliza II. Capers, 

dau. John Singeltary Capers (31); killed 
at First Manassas. (Issue.) 

42 iv. Richard L. Jervey, m. and had one dau. who 

d. num. 

43 V. Maurice Simons Jervey, m. Martini Eraser; 

d. s. p. 

44 VI. Grace Hall Jervey, d. unm, 

45 VII. Annie Jervey, d. unra. 

vv "Married in Christ Church Parish on Wednesday last, by the 
Rev. Daniel M'Calla, Dr. David Jervey, to Miss Sarah Capers, 
daughter of Gabriel Capers, esq. deceased.'" — Charleston Courier, 
Sat., March 1. 1806. (A Jervey family Bible gives the same informa- 
tion. ) 

*Dftta furnished by descendants. 

WW "Married. 

"On Thursday Morning last, by Rev. Dr. McDowall, Mr. 
Thomas Jervey of Christ Church Parish, to Miss Angeline youngest 
daughter of R. Dorrill, Esq. of this City."— TAe Charleston Mercury. 
Tuesday, Jany. 8, 1883. 



CAPT. WM. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 



28. 

Gabriel Capers [William \ Ki chard 3, Ricliard 2, Wil- 
liam 1.], h. 178 — ; m., 18 , Ann 

Humphries, dan. of Rev. Thomas Humphries, of Jeffers's 
Creek, Darlington District, S. C. ; removed to Louisiana and 
died Ocean Springs, Miss., 1867. Several of his children 
returned to South Carolina. 

Issue :-^^ i a*\ 

Thomas Humphries Capers. ri\iC "Vfl-lX 3*^1* 

Ehza Capers. ^ ^\ , (0 . '^ ' 

Mary Singeltary Capers, b. ^ ^^^- * 

Wesley Coke Capers. ^uV . oj^ (VvV V'Vvv y^^j' 

Susan Capers, d. unm. 

Gabriel Capers. ^' Mau**4^.M^^ 
Robert Francis AVithers Capers. » | 1 

Stephen Olin Capers. |,H'^*4^ r'^f" 

John Singeltary Capers. \vlciuU'**^ ^^ « 

William Capers [WiUiam \ Richard ^, Richard 2, Wil- 
liam ^], b. on his father's Bull's Head plantation, St. Thomas's 
Parish, Charleston District, S. C, Jany. 26, 1790*; was 
educated at Dr. Roberts' academy, near Stateburg, Sumter 
District, and at the South Carolina College; entered the 
itinerancy of the Methodist Episcopal Church Nov. 25, 1808; 
m., Jany. 13, 1813*, Anna White (h. Feb. 20. 1795*), 
dau. of John White, Esq., of Georgetown, deceased, and 
Anna, his wife, who ^. Dec. 30, 1815; m. again, Oct. 31, 
1816*, Susan McGill (h. Aug. 31, 1797), dau. of William 

XX Data furnished by Mrs. A Lou Walpole, MuUet Hall. S. C. 
* Data furnished by Bishop Ellison Capers from his mother's Bible. 
See also Wightman's Life of Bishop Capers. 



46 


I. 


47 


II. 


48 


III. 


49 


IV. 


50 


V. 


51 


VI. 


52 


VII. 


53 


VIII. 


54 


IX. 



281 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

and Ann McGill, of Kershaw District, and adopted dan. of 
Mrs. Peter Horry, widow of Gen. Peter Horry; was elected, 
May 7, 1846, a bishop by the first General Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, held at Petersburg, Va. , 
and was consecrated at the Washington Street Church, 
Columbia, May llth following; d. at Anderson, S. C, 
Jany. 29, 1855, aged 65 years and 3 days, and was buried 
in the church-yard of the Washington Street M. E. Church, 
South, Columbia. Over his grave is an oblong structure of 
granite covered by a marble slab, in the centre of which 
rests a pedestal supporting an ol)elisk of Italian marble, bear- 
ing appropriate inscriptions. There is also a stained glass 
window dedicated to his memory in Bethel Church, Charleston. 
(See autobiography in Wightmau's Life of Bishop Capern.) 
Issue :"" First wife. 

55 I. Anna White Singeltary Capers, h. Jany. 18, 

1814; m., Dec. 28, 1830, Kev. Wm. 
Holmes Ellison, D. D., a distinguished 
Methodist minister, sometime Prest. Wes- 
leyan Female College, Macon, Ga. (Issue.) 
0*6 II. Theodotus William Capers, h. Dec. 30, 1815; 

(I. young. 
Second wife. 
57 III. Francis Asbury Caj^crs, l>. Dec. 26, 1817; 

rt ''/. young. I 

•4 f;\J^iZ<L^ ^^ ^^' Francis Withers Capers, b. Aug. 8, 1819. ^Ui'i' 

n3^J^^^.o<uJ^ 59 V. Susan Pethia Capers, h. March 11,1821; 

w., July 23, 1843, Prof. Geo. W. W. 
Stone, of Emory College, Oxford, Cla. 
]A.esides at Oxford. 

60 VI. Esther Anslie Withers Capers, h. Dec. 7, 

1822; d. young. 

61 VII. William Tertius Capers, 7). at Milledgeville, 

Ga., Jany 20, 1825; entered Methodist 

I 

* Data furnished by Bishop Ellison Capers from his mother's Bible. 



aV*»- QyiyaCnu l/luA^«(A«<«U»*i 



CAPT, WM. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 285 

itiuorancy in 1844; m.^ Dec. 20, 1S53, 
Lucy Frances Austin. Was twice mar- 
ried. Was made D. D. Died Sept. 10, 
1894, and was buried at Greenville, S. C. 
(Left no issue.) c4v^(<mv, (O 5;c.v*1s. 

62 VIII. Sarah Ann Branliani Capers, h. Jany. ] 3, 

1827; m. , Jany. 2, 1849, Wm. Montague 
Sage, of Charleston, S. C. (ISTo living 
issue. ) 

63 IX. Harriet Ennua Maria Haslope Capers, h. 

July 31, 1830; m. . Aug. 8, 1848, Eev. 
Samuel Barkesdale Jones, a distinguished 
Methodist minister of the Soutli (^arolina 
Conference. (Issue.) 

64 X. Mary Singeltary Capers, h. June 28, 1833; 

7;^. , 1855, Peter Fayssoux Stevens, subse- 
quently bisliop of the Reformed Episcopal 
Cliurch. (Issue.) 

Henry Dickson Capers, h. June 2, 1835. CaV-cniA*. 

Ellison Capers, h. Oct. 14, 1837. i-\C\<>L^tX^ 

Theodotus LeGrand Capers,?*. Oct. 23, 1839, 
ffrad. witli first honors in his class at col- 
lege, June 1860, and was killed at Second 
Manassas, Auff. 30, 1862. 



31 



John Singeltary Capers [William \ Richard •\ Richard 2, 
William!.], h. 1792; m. Martha E. White >>' , who d. 
1862; d. . 



65 


XI 


66 


XII 


67 


XIII. 



yy The will of Martha E. Cape^-s. made Oct. 31, 18(50, proved June 
11, 1862, mentions son William Capers; Eliz H. Jervey, wife of 
Gabriel C. Jervey; grand-children Sarah Capers Jervey and William 
Capers Jervey ; and mother Ann White. 



286 so. CA, HISTORICAI. AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

Issue :^^ 

68 I. William Capers. (Issue.) 

69 II. Eliza H. Cajjers, m. Gabriel Capers Jervey 

(41). 

32. 

Samuel Wragg Capers [William ^ Richard ^, Richard 2, 
William 1.], h. in Georgetown District, March 5, 1797; m., 
May, 1817, Elizabeth Humphries, who d.\ m. again, Oct., 
1826, Sarah M. Brandt, who d.\ m. again, Jariy. 11, 1831, 
Abathiah Harvey Thornton, who still survives, residing at 
Camden, S. C. ; d. June 22, 1855, and was buried at Cam- 
den. He was a Methodist ininister, having entered the 
itinerancy in 1828. 

Issue •.'^^^ First wife. 

70 I. Samuel E. Capers, h. 1818. 

Second wife. 

71 IT. Margaret Capers, d. when 3 years old. 

Third wife. 

72 III. Richard Thornton Capers. 

73 IV. Abathiah Elizabeth Capers. 

74 V. Edmund LeGrand Capers, d. in infancy. 

75 VI. Sidney Williams Capers. 

76 VII. John Summerfield Capers, killed at Appo- 

mattox i.). H., April, 1865. 

77 VIII. Mary Wragg Capers. 

78 IX. Sarah Ann Gamewell Capers. 

79 X. Caroline Martha Michel Capers, d. 1890. 

80 XI. Emma Jane Dunlap Capers, d. 1 878. 

81 XII. Edivin Benjamin Capers. 

82 XIII. Adella Henrietta Capers, d. in infancy. 



zz There might have been other children, for this will is the only 
record of this branch of the family the writer has been able to procure, 
aaa Data furnished by a descendant. 



CAPT. WM. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 287 



36. 









i 



.> 



^ 



V 



88 


I. 


84 


11. 


85 


III. 


86 


IV. 


/ 88 
V" 89 

90 


V. 


VI, 

VII. 

VIII. 


• 9J 


IX. 


92 


X. 






LeQrand Querry Capers [William ^, Kicbard ^, Ricliard '^, 
William K], h. in Sumter District, S. C, Feb. 8, 1808; was 
a merchant in Charleston; m., eTune 1, 1829, Abigail Swift 
{h. Oct. 16, 1810), who 6?. Aug. 30, 1846; m. again, April 
27, 1851, at San Antonio, Texas, Amelia Freelove Layton 
{h. Aug. 20, 1814). lie served on Gen. Worth's staff dur- 
ing the war with Mexico. He d. Jany. 29, 18(38. 
Issue -y^^ First wife. 

Abigail Capers, m. — Swift. 

LeGrand Guerry Capers, ^*e*>l«^. Surgeon, 

d. at Vicksburg, Miss. (Issue.) 
John Edwards Capers. AS.y^iVx^V^*^ • \^ "^ ■ 
Martha G lover Capers. \N\ . W^V , ( wsvk V;N ft*^*^^ ' 
Kichard Coachman Capers. 
SarahlCapers, m. GenV Swift, U. S. A. 
Child, d. young. 
Child, d. young. 

William Worth Capers, h. Aug. 30, 1844.\v\w^^^^^*•'**^'' 
Child, d. young. 

Second wife. 
Amelia Freelove Capers, 7??., J. Lefferts 

Thorn. 
Josephine Capers, m. A. V. Young. 
Francis LeGrand Capers, h. May 21, 1853; 
7/i. , June 3. 1880, Emma N. Cole, of 
Brooklyn, N. Y. Lives Denver, Col. 
Mary Connall Capers, m. Henry M. JSewton. 






93 

94 

95 



XI. 

XII. 
XIII. 



96 



XIV 



37 



Benjamin Huger Capers [William *, Richard ^, Richard -, 

William ^.], h. 18 — ; entered the Methodist itinerancy in 

1826 and was located in 1836. He married and removed 

bbb Data furnished by Mrs. C. T. R. Mathews, Croton-on-Hudson, 
N. Y. 



288 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 



Atu-^-ot 



to Mississippi and liis children and grand-children live in 
that State now. 

58. 

Francis Withers Capers [William -^ William K Richard ^, 
Richard^, William '.J, h. in Savannah, Ga., Aug 8, 1819; 
grad. College of Charleston with tirst honors in 1839; was 
elected, Feb. 24, 1843, 2d professor of the Citadel Academy 
in CharlestoD, with the rank of lieutenant, subsequently 
became a captain, but resigned in Nov. 1847 to become 
professor of ancient languages in Transylvania University, 
Ky. ; succeeded Major R. W. Colcock as Superintendent of 
the Citadel Acdy. in 1853, with the rank of major; resigned 
in Sept., 1859, and accepted the command of the Georgia 
Military Academy at Marietta ; was made, during the 
States' Rights war, brigadier general of one of the Georgia 
militia brigades, and was engaged in engineer service in 
Northern Georgia, and laid out and constructed the works 
around Resaca behind which Gen. Jos. E. Johnston deliv- 
ered battle in May 1864; tauglit school in Augusta, Ga. , 
aftei- the war, and in Oct. 18(57 became professor of mathe- 
matics in the College of Charleston which position beheld 
until within two vears of his death in 1892. He m. , Aug. 
24, 1848, Hannah Hawk Bascom, dau. of Alpheus and 
Cassandra Bascom, of Ky., who (/. 1862; m. again, 1863, 
Susan R. Rntledge, of Charleston; d. Jany. 12, 1892, and 
was buried in Bethel Churchyard. '^'^'^ 

Issue :'"^^ First wife. 

97 T. William Bascom Capers, b. Dec. 19, 1849. 

98 II. Francis Withers Capers, h. July 13, 1852. 

99 III. Alpheus Bordeaux Capers, b. July 6, 1854. 
100 IV. Emma Singeltary Capers, b. July 21, 1856. 

ccc The News and Courier, Charleston, S. C, Wed., Jany. 13, 1892. 
Thomas's Historij of the South Carolina MUitary Academy (Charles- 
ton, 1892). 

ddd Data furnished by F. W. Capers, Esq., Augusta, Ga. 



CAPT. \VM. CAPEKS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 289 

101 V. Mary Percival Capers, l. April 26, 1858; d. 

July 24. 1858. 

102 VI. Clara Stewart Capers, h. Dec. 29, 1861; m. 

Dr. Laurence B. Owens, of Columbia, 
S. C. (Issue : Frank.) 



\o\ , 



65. 



Henry Dickson Capers [William '", William ^ Eicliard -^ 
Richard^, William ^], h. June 2, 1835; m., in Oxford, Ga., 
1858, Mary E. Means, dau. of Dr. Alexander Means, of 
Georgia. (Issue.) He is the author of a, novel, £elleview, 
Life and Times of G. G. Mem/minger, and many newspaper 
and magazine articles, vxo*--'*-^- e^KtJI.A ^_f<e.c, v/>/i..^-C J .;. «,cj.o. «m- 



C\%y^: 



66. 



Ellison Capers [Vvilliam s, William \ Kichard 3, Eichai-d 3, 
William 1.], b. Oct. 14, 1837; grad. S. C. Military Academy 
Nov. 18, 1857, and made assistant professor of mathematics 
and belles lettres in that institution the year followins: his 
graduation; /n., Feb. 24, 1859, Charlotte Rebecca, fourth 
dau. of John Gendron and Catherine Marion Palmer, of 
"Cherry Grove" plantation, St. John's Berkeley, S. C. ; 
asst. prof. math. S. C. M. A. 1859; was elected major of 
First Eegt. of Rifles in autumn of 1860, and served with his 
regt. at Castle Pinckney, and on Morris, Sullivan's, James, 
and John's islands, and under Beauregard at capture of Ft. 
Sumter, and rose to rank of It. col.; resigned in Nov. 1861 
to assist Clement il. Stevens in raisino- a re^rt. for the w^ar 
and when the regt. was raised he was made It. col., and the 
regt. was mustered into Confederate service as 24th, S. C. 
Vol. Inf. April ], 1862; became col. 24th upon the promo- 
tion of Col. Stevens in Jan. 1864; was commissioned brig, 
gen, March 1, 1865 ana assigned to the command of the 
brigade formerly commanded by Gen. S. R. Gist; was 
elected Secretarv of State of S. C. in Dec. 1866, and in 



290 so. CA. IIISTOKICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

1867 entered the ministry of the P. E. Church, and was rector 
at Greenville, S. C, for twenty years, at Sehna, Ala., one 
year and of Trinity Church, Columl)ia, S. C, for six years; 
was given D. 1). in 1889 by Univ. of S. C, and on May 4, 
1893, was unaniinuosly elected bishop of the Diocese of South 
Carolina, which position he now holds. Resides at Columbia. 
S. C. (See Confederate Military Ilidory^ vol. Y, South 
^Carolina, p. 383 et seq. for longer sketch.) 

Issue peee 

103 I. Catherine Marion Capers, h. at the Citadel, 

Charleston, March 2, 1860; d. in infancy. 

104 II. Francis Fayssoux Capers, 1). at the Citadel, 

June 5, 1861; educated Patrick School, 
Greenville, Carolina Mil. Acdy., Charlotte, 
N. C, and Univ. of the South, Sewanee, 
Tenn. ; ??i, Emmala Keels, of Greenville, 
S. C. Resides in Greenville, and is Sec. & 
Treas. Piedmont Investment Co. (Xo 
issue.) 

105 III. Susan M^^Gill Capers, h. in Columbia, S. C, 

Nov. 11, 1862; d. in infancy. 

106 IV. Mary Videau Marion Capers, h. in Oxford, 

Ga., July 17, 1864; educated Greenville 
Female Col. and St. Mary's, Raleigh, 
N. G. ; m. Capt. C'harles Booth Satterlee, 
6th Arty., A. S. A., who d. at Honolulu, 
Hawaii, July 10, 1899. Resides Colum- 
bia, S. C. (Issue : two sons.) 

107 V. John Gendron Palmer^f^ Capers, h. April 17, 

1866. 

108 VI. William Theodotus Capers, I. Aug. 9, 1867. 

109 VII. Ellison Capers, h. May 9. 1869. 



eee Data furnished by Bishop Ellison Capers, 
fff Dropped the Palmer. 



CAPT. WM. CAPEKS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 291 

110 VIII. Walter Branham Capers, J. at the Rectory, 

Greenville, S. C, Aug. 8, 1870; educated 
Patrick School, Greenville, Furman Univ., 
Greenville, S. C. College and Ya. Theol. 
Seminary. Hector Episcopal Ch. Colum- 
bia, Teiin. 

111 IX. Charlotte Palmer Capers, h. at the Rectory, 

Greenville, Aug. 12, 1871; educated 
Greenville Female Col. and St. Mary's, 
Raleigh, N. C. ; m. William Henry John- 
son, of Charleston. (Issue : one son, 
James Reid Johnson, h. April 12, 1899.) 

70. 

Samuel E. Capers [Samuel Wragg ^, William *, Richard ^\ 

Richard 2, William i.], h. 1818; m. ; d. 

1894. 

Issue : 

George Capers. Dead. 

William Reynolds Capers. Dead. 

Samuel Capers. Dead. 

Frank Y. <^apers. 

Margaret Capers. 

72. 

Richard Thornton Capers [Samuel Wragg 5, William , 
Richard^, Richard 2, William^.], entered the Methodist 
itinerancy 1854 and was discontinued 1856; married Mary 
Hurd. 



Maynie Harvey Capers, 
John Swinton Capers. Dead. 
Annie Capers, m. Clifton Harvey. 
Sidney Capers. Dead, 
Helen Capers. 





Issue : 


112 


I. 


113 


II. 


114 


III. 


115 


IV. 


116 


V. 





Issue : 


117 


I, 


118 


II, 


119 


III. 


120 


IV. 


121 


V. 



292 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

73. 

Abathiah Elizabeth Capers [Samuel Wragg s, William ^, 
Kichard^, Richard-, William i.], m. Dr. F. L. Zemp, of 
Camden, S. C. 

Issue : 

Francis L. Zemp, m. Emma Hamlin. 

William Harvey Zemp, m. Alice Brunson. 

Eugene Capers Zemp, m. Mary Blakeney. 

Mary Adella Zemp, m. N. B. Rankin. 

Jessie Lee Zemp, m. John Arthur, who 6?/ 
m. again L. Means. 

Charles Herbert Zemp, d. young. 

Elizabeth Capers Zemp, d. young. 

Frank M. Zemp, m. Kate DeLoache. 

Sidney Capers Zemp, m. Hattie Truesdale. 

Ernest Russell Zemp, grad. South Carolina 
Mihtary Academy 1890, and later obtained 
M. D. from College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, Baltimore, Md. Married. 
132 XI. Annie Braxton Zemp, m. Dr. W. S. Stokes. 



75. 



Sidney Williams Capers [Samuel Wragg 5, William^, 
Richard^, Richard 2, William^.], m. Jessie Lee Darby, who 
d. (no living issue); m. again, 1874, Edith Wightman (d. 
1886 ggs), dau. Bishop Wm. M. Wightman. 

Issue : 

133 I. Maria Wightman Capers, h. 1875. 

ggg "Will of Edith Wightman Capers, made Oct. 21, 1884, proved 
Nov. 4, 1886, mentions daughter Maria Wightman Capers and sister 
May L. Wightman. (Probate Court, Charleston County.) 



122 


I. 


123 


II. 


124 


III. 


125 


IV. 


3 26 


V. 


127 


VI. 


128 


VII. 


129 


VIII. 


130 


IX. 


131 


X. 



CAPT. WM. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 293 

77. 

Mary Wragg Capers [Samuel Wragg ■', William ^ Rich- 
ard ^, Richard^, Williaai^J, m. Rev. C. Thomason. 
Issue : 

134 I. Mary TLomason, d. when 3 years old. 

135 II. John Summerfield Thomason, d. young. 

136 III. Samuel Capers Thomason. 

78. 

Sarah Ann Gamewell Capers [Samuel Wragg ', Wil- 
liam^, Richard^, Richard 2, William ^], m. Rev. A. J. 
Stokes, D. D., of the S. C. Methodist Conference. 
Issue : 

137 I. Lalla Capers Stokes, w. Rev. W. C. Kirk- 

land. 

138 II. Emma J. D. Stokes, m. James ISTelson, 

(Issue : Abathiah Harvey Nelson, m. A. 
Wineberg.) 

91. 

William Worth Capers [LeGrand Guerry °, William ^, 
Richard^, Ricliard 2, William '.], h. Aug. 30,1844; m., 
June 26, 1867, Ella Ferguson (h. Oct. 17, 1848). 
Issue -.^^^ 

139 I. William Worth Capers, /•. 1868. 

140 II. Louis Capers, b. 1869. 

141 III. Linda Dalavar Capers, h. 1872. 

142 IV. Ella Maude Capers, b. 1873. 

143 V. Grace Ferguson Capers, b. 1877. 

144 VI. Edna Mitchell Capers, b. 1878. 



hhh Data furnished by Mrs. C. T. E,. ■^tathews, Croton-on-Hudson, 
N. Y. 



294 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE, 

145 VII. Marcia Ferguson Capers, h. 1879. 

146 VIII. Mabel Swift Capers, h. 1881. 

147 IX. LeGrand Capers, h. 1883. 

97. 

William Bascom Capers [Francis Witliers ^ William 5, 
William^, Richard ^ llichard -, William'.], h. Dec. 19, 
1849; m., April 3, 1879, Carrie J3. Sibley, of Augusta, Ga! 

Issue :"' 

148 I. William B. Capers, h. March 16, 1880. 

149 II. Sarah A. Capers, h. May 4, 1882. 

150 III. Frank Capers, h. Oct. 15, 1884. 

151 r^- Edward Amory Capers, I. Sept. 19, 1887; 

d. vounff. 

152 V. Carrie D. Capers, h. Aug. 22, 1896. 

98. 

Francis Withers Capers [Francis Withers 6, AVilHam 5, 
William 4, Kichard ^ Richard 2, William '.], h. July 13, 
1852; m.., June 1, 1885, Henrietta Clark, of Macon, Ga. 
Resides Augusta, Ga. 

Issue :"' 

153 I. Marian J>ascom Capers, h. April 4, 1886. 

154 II. Frank W. Capers, h. June 5, 1887. 

155 III. Ruth Clark Capers, h. Oct. 13, 1888. 

156 IV. Osgood Clark Capers, h. Feb. 16, 1890. 

157 V. Anderson Clark Capers, h. Dec. 6, 1892. 

158 VI. Emma Jane Capers, h. Dec. 12, 1893. 

159 VII. Myra D'Antignac Capers, h. Feb. 25, 1895. 

160 VIII. Rutledge Mann Capers, h. June 2, 1899. 



iii Data furnished by F. W. Capers, Esq., Augusta, Ga. 



CAPT. \VM. CAPERS AISTP SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS- 295 

107. 

John Qendron Capers [Ellison •', William ^ William ^ 
Richard ^ Eichard 2, William 1.], h. at "Box Cottage", 
Anderson, S. C, April 17, 1866; educated at Patrick's 
School, Greenville, Hoi}' Communion Church Institute, 
Charleston, and the South Carolina Military Academy; 
admitted to the bar 1887; m. , Dec. 1888, Susan Keels, of 
Greenville, S. C, who d. March 1890; m. again, June 18, 
1895, Lilla Trenholm; practiced law first in Greenville, 
where he was captain Butler Guards and major 3rd Battalion ; 
School Commissioner, Greenville Co. 1888-1890; practiced 
law in Columbia, 1893-1895, and edited Columbia Daily 
Journal^ and was captain of Columbia Zouaves; assistant 
LT. S. Attorney, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C, 
1895-1901; appointed U. S. District Attorney for S. C, 
July 24, 1901, by President McKinley. 

Issue : First wife. 

161 I. John Ellison Capers, died in infancy. 

Second wife. 

162 ri. Charlotte Palmer Capers, h. Dec. 24, 1896. 

163 III. John Gendron Capers, h. March 22, 1898; 

d. March 26, 1899. 

164 IV. Frances Trenholm Capers. 

108. 

William Theodot us Capers [Ellison*^, William^, Wil- 
liam^, Eichard ^, Richard 2, William ^], h. at the Rectory, 
Greenville, S. C, Aug. 9, 1867; educated at Patrick's 
School, Furnian University, tlie S. C. College and the 
Virginia Theological Seminary; m. Rel)ecca Bryan, of 
Augusta, Ga. Rector of Trinity Church, Vicksburg, Miss. 



Issue 



165 


I. 


166 


II. 


167 


III. 


168 


IV. 



Bryan Capers. 
Ellison Howe Capers. 
William Capers. 
Samuel Orr Capers. 



296 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GE'NEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 



109. 

Ellison Capers [Ellison ^, William ^ William *, Kichard ^, 
Eichard^, William '.], h. May 9, 1869; educated at Patrick 
School, Greenville, Furman University and S. C. College; 
m. Charlotte Maniganlt Benbow, ot Clarendon Co., S. C. 
Is Superintendent of Schools, Georgetown, S. C. Was 
unsuccessful candidate for State Superintendent of P^ducation 
in 1900. 





Issue : 




169 


I. 


Ellison Capers. 


170 


II. 


Emmala Frances Capers. 


171 


III. 


Catherine Capers. 

ADDENDA. 



The following record is taken from the Christ Church 
Parish register. All efforts to Und out who "Amelia Capers" 
was the widow of have been futile; nor have the efforts to 
find out something of her subsequent career been any more 
successful : 

"Peter Lequieu Bachellor & Amelia Capers, widow, were duly mar- 
ried by licence in Christ Chni'cli Parish according to the rites & cere- 
monies of the Church of England on the third day of July 1763 hy the 
Rev. Samuel Drake." 

The following records, supplied by Mr. James E Jervey, 
of Sumter, S. C, came too late to be j^ut iti the proper place : 
John Singeltary Capers (31) "was a Methodist preacher 
and died of malarial fever at Georgetown, S. C." 

The children of John Singeltary Capers (31) and 
Martha E. White, his wife, were : 

I. John Singeltary Capers, a Methodist minister, wiio 

was killed by a runaway horse. Unmarried. 
IT. Annie Capers, m. Josiah Doar. (Issue.) 
III. Eliza Henrietta Capers (69), m. Gabriel Capers 
Jervey (4L). 



CAPT. WM. CAPERS AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 29T 

Issue : 

i. James Edward Jervey ) Resides Sumter, S. C. 

ii. William Capers Jervey S Killed at Petersburg, Va. 
iii. Sarah Capers Jervej. 
iv. Annie Simmons .Jervey. 
V. Sophia Jervey. 

vi. John Singeltary Jervey. Missing at Peters- 
burg, Va. 
vii. Mary Capers Jervey. 
viii. Grace Hall Jervey. 
ix. Louis D. Jervey. 
X. Martha Jane Jervey. 
IV. William Capers (6S), m. Sarah English. 
Issue : 

i. Mary Capers, 
ii. Ansley Capers, 
iii. Mittie Capers, 
iv. John Singeltary Capers. 
V. William Capers. 

The following records, supplied by Mrs. A. Lou Walpole, 
of Mullet Hall, S. C, came too late to be put in the proper 
place : 

Thomas H Capers (46) entered the ]\Iethodist itin- 
erancy in 1829 and was transferred to the Georgia Confer- 
ence in 1830; m. in St. Louis, Mo., Miss Hamilton. Several 
children, two of whom are James Hamilton and William of 
Richmond, Ya. , and one of whom is Ella, who married and mj 
lives in Georgia. J James Hamilton Capers hac a son who 
also lives in Richmond and a daughter, Luna, who married 
Rev. Howard Sledd, of Virginia. 

Eliza Capers (47) m., about 1827, George Whitefield 
Ellis, and died four years ago. (Issue.) 

Mary Singeltary Capers (48) m. in Macon, Ga., in 
1831, Benjamin R. AVarner, of Connecticut. Eight children 
were born to them, two of whom, Mrs. A. Lou Walpole 



298 so. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE. 

(widow of Horace E, Walpole, to whom she was m. in 1856, 
and who d. in 1887, leavii^g two children : Kate Seymour, 
who m. F, Y, Legare, and Horace E., who m. Miss A. J, 
Hay) and Benjamin Horace Warner, bachelor, live on John's 
Island, S. C. Mrs. Warner d. in July 1897, in her 83d 
year. 

Wesley Coke Capers (49), a book-keeper; fought in the 
war with Mexico and in the Confederate army. He d. 
twenty odd years ago, unmarried. 

Gabriel Capers (51), a farmer; m. and had issue. 

Robert Francis Withers Capers (52), a book-keeper; 
tn. but left no issue. 

Stephen Olin Capers (53), a minister; d. unm. (?) 

John Singeltary Capers (54), a farmer; m. but d. with- 
out issue (?). 



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